An Overview of the Study of Cognitive Load Theory in Mathematics Education

Cognitive load theory is widely used in the study of teaching and learning and has gradually become a pedagogical theory in which three types of cognitive load: intrinsic, extrinsic and related cognitive loads are of great importance to mathematics education.For teachers, cognitive load theory plays an important role in designing effective instruction, using materials appropriately and improving teaching effectiveness, while for students, researchers have conducted extensive research using cognitive load theory in the areas of student problem solving, geometry learning, and have also achieved significant research results.We have reviewed a number of papers that have examined the role of cognitive load theory in mathematics education in terms of student learning, teacher teaching and other aspects of mathematics education.Likewise, these studies have used the cognitive load theory as a basis for suggesting teaching recommendations or instructional designs in conjunction with research findings.